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Overbed tables have immeasurable positive effects for their users. These simple yet effective items are meant for people who spend a lot of time in bed due to medical reasons, old age, or any other reason. The tables’ designs allow their users to eat, read, use laptops, or any activity that requires a solid, flat surface right from the comfort of their beds. Overbed tables are a common sight in hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities. However, you can also buy one for yourself or your loved one to use at home.
Our guide will outline the five best overbed tables available today and the factors to consider before purchasing one.
Cons
The Vaunn Medical Adjustable Overbed Bedside Table features an elegantly simple design that allows users to carry out numerous tasks without leaving their bed. One of its most convenient features is the easily-adjustable height. Requiring the slightest pressure, the table can be raised or lowered to perfectly suit the user’s preferences. Once it is at the perfect height, the user locks it firmly into place. The lower end of the table features the caster wheels for easy maneuverability. In contrast, the table’s wood-grained surface has a textured finish to prevent objects from sliding off the surface.
The Vaunn Medical Adjustable Overbed Bedside Table’s frame is made from durable chrome-plated steel to improve overall sturdiness. It is no wonder this particular model is a common sight in clinics and hospitals. If you are looking for a simple overbed table that will last many years, this specific model will be perfect for you.
Cons
The Drive Medical Non-Tilt Overbed Table features an H-style base with 2-inch swiveling caster wheels for easy maneuverability. The table’s height is infinitely adjustable between 28 and 45 inches to help suit different-sized people’s needs. Users can choose between silver and chrome finishes. This table provides a user with excellent support and utility, allowing them to carry out numerous tasks when bedridden.
The height-adjustment mechanism required very slight pressure meaning it will not overly task a user. On the other hand, the swivel casters contribute to the table’s overall lightweight, maneuverability, and ease of transfer from one room to another. The table’s surface is laminated and textured, making it easy to clean and prevent objects from falling off.
The Drive Medical Non-Tilt Overbed Table is particularly great for large-bodied people due to its relatively high upper height limit. Such people might struggle with models that only rise to less than 40 inches.
Cons
The TigerDad Overbed Table with Wheels features a steel frame that is adjustable on both length and height. The length can be adjusted from 55.1″ to 82.7″ and the height from 25.6″ to 37.4″. This makes the table ideal for people who intend to use it on multiple differently-sized beds. The table’s multipurpose design also allows it to be used as a study table, writing desk, breakfast table, or laptop surface.
Additionally, the TigerDad Overbed Table with Wheels can also be used as a standalone computer table away from the table. For additional safety, the table’s base has 1.5-inch caster wheels with brakes that allow easy maneuverability. For people without much experience assembling items, the TigerDad table is impressively easy to assemble using the instructions and tools included in the package.
If you intend to place multiple objects on your tabletop, the TigerDad Overbed Table with Wheels’ high weight capacity should serve you great. Without the steel legs extended, the table can support up to 350 pounds, which should cover virtually anything you might want to place on the table’s surface.
Cons
The Medical Deluxe Tiltable Overbed Bedside Table is an easy-to-use, practical product suitable for institutional and hospital use. The tabletop is made of two parts, both of which can be tilted using the adjustment knob. The tilting mechanism provides more flexibility than the conventional non-tilt variants. It is easier to use a laptop on a slightly-tilted surface than an entirely flat one.
The larger section of the tabletop can tilt infinitely in both directions for more flexibility. The top features a wood-grained, laminated surface with a stopper ridge meant to prevent objects from falling off the surface. For better comfort during use, the Medical Deluxe Tiltable Overbed Bedside Table has a height-adjustable top that requires minimal effort to adjust. The swivel caster wheels below the base feature a simple locking mechanism to keep the table in place.
If you are looking for a durable, steel-made overbed table, the Medical Deluxe Tiltable Overbed Bedside Table is probably your best bed. The heavy-gauge steel frame feels quite sturdy.
Cons
The Carex Overbed Table is made from a combination of ABS plastic and polypropylene, which results in an extremely lightweight frame. The included swivel casters improve the maneuverability of an already extremely light overbed table. The table can be easily used on most beds and even chairs. The tabletop can be easily adjusted for right or left-handed use and is height-adjustable on infinite positions between 28 and 42 inches.
Unlike H-shaped overbed tables, the Carex Overbed Table has a C-shaped base that gives users closer access when using a wheelchair or regular chair. The only minor downside with this table is its significantly low weight capacity. The plastic tabletop and frame can only hold up to 50 pounds, significantly lower than competing models.
People who prioritize weight above everything else will be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Carex Overbed Table.
The significantly large market for overbed tables has led to an increase in the number of manufacturers who make these products. While this increase in options is good for customers, it can also make choosing the ideal overbed table quite challenging. How do you choose the perfect one from the numerous brands available? Below is a breakdown of the most important factors to consider before making the purchase
A good overbed table should have sufficient build strength to handle the weight of anything you intend to place on it. Factors such as joinery, materials, and workmanship all determine how sturdy an overbed table is. Generally, tables made from metal or metal alloys such as steel and aluminum are sturdier than those made from plastic.
Tables with metallic frames can support significantly more weight than those made from plastic. Besides the frame materials, though, you should also consider how well the different parts of the table have been or can be joined. Poorly designed joints or screws can make a table unsafe, resulting in poor sturdiness. While it is generally better to go for metallic frame tables, keep in mind that they also tend to be significantly pricier than those made from materials such as ABS plastic or polypropylene.
Maneuverability refers to how easily an overbed table can be moved from one point to another, be it in the same room or different ones. Factors such as the table size, turning radius, and peripheral features determine how maneuverable an overbed table is. The larger a table is, the harder it is to get it around tight spots. This is because the frame requires large spaces to move across. On the other hand, small tables are easy to move through narrow doors and other small spaces. However, you need to purchase a table that balances acceptable size with maneuverability. You do not want to be stuck with a barely useful small table.
The casters and peripheral features influence the table’s turning radius, which in turn affects maneuverability. Generally, overbed tables with swivel casters are easier to maneuver than those with fixed wheels. This is due to the casters’ capability to face whichever direction the user desires. Maneuverability is more important to some people than others due to the varying nature of overbed table usage. If you intend to move the table frequently, this attribute should be of paramount importance.
Due to their relatively sizable frames, most overbed tables are usually sold disassembled. This means that the customer often has to do the assembly themselves. While most manufacturers include instruction manuals with their products, some are easier to follow than others. Away from the manual, though, you need to evaluate how easy it is to assemble and disassemble the overbed chair.
Ideally, you should only purchase a model that does not require you to buy extra tools to assemble. Look for models that use regular nuts, bolts, and screws in the frame. It also helps to have a manufacturer that includes simple-to-follow instructions. Easy disassembly and assembly will prevent unnecessary costs of hiring professionals every time you need to take your overbed table with you.
A product’s value for money is determined by its price and the satisfaction that a user derives from it. For overbed chairs, it is essential to go for a model that provides a balance between an acceptable price, features, durability, and quality. As with most products, additional features often come at an additional cost. However, you will find that most overpriced models have features that you do not necessarily require.
Make a list of the must-have features on an overbed table, and then weigh your options among the most viable makes. With a very cheap chair, you may end up feeling like you do not have enough features, while with a very pricey model, you might never manage to justify the spending. Lastly, it is vital to read reviews regarding your intended purchase’s durability since you do not want to go back to the shop after a few months to purchase a replacement.
Regardless of the overbed table you end up buying. This simple yet effective product will significantly improves your life or that of your loved one. Our breakdown of the five top models hopefully narrows down your options and makes it easier to choose. By considering the four factors mentioned above, you can be guaranteed of making a purchase that you will be forever proud of.
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